Chapter 3 Tenseful

Chapter 3

Eileen pov

Getting home was hell for me today. I’d wait for other students, especially my sister and her clique to leave before I walk home.

On a normal day, Dad sends his Maserati to pick Anna up, but Anna loves the attention too much to actually get in the car. She prefers to walk and flaunts her voluptuous curves and whatever fashionable outfit she’s decided to show off that day.

As usual, when I got home, I met Anna sitting in the private salon with her legs crossed and shoulders heightened like a model.

Dad was trimming her nails. The moment her gaze trailed to mine, a smirk struck her facial features.

I swallowed and looked away.

“Good evening Dad.” I greeted while my dad just grunted in response as if I wasn’t important.

I haven’t even moved a step when my dad’s voice cut through the air.

“Your sister’s dress for today is at the laundry. You should wash them, including her shoes too, and help her with her assignment.” My father said.

I pursed my lips into a thin line for a moment before licking them.

“Yes, daddy.”

“Daddy,” Anna called, and my heart skipped a beat. I turned to stare at her. Anna regarded me with an impassive, aloof expression.

“Yes princess,” Dad answered.

Anna’s gaze sent me a private message before her lips parted. “Eileen is intentionally causing me to perform poorly in my test and assignment. Maybe, we shouldn’t let her handle my assignments anymore.” Her voice was choked with tears.

The room fell quiet, and the atmosphere grew heavy.

My eyes rolled at these shocking lies that Anna revealed.

What? How?

The confusion rose first,  then disbelief, then a slow burn of hurt.

When have I ever tried to make her fail? Except in the last test which Ryan had tampered with.

Daddy turned around to spare me a dirty glare. “Is that true?”

His voice wasn't asking but condemning. His gaze on me was condescending, behind him I could see the satisfied smiles on Anna’s face.

My hands fell to my side in trepidation.

“Yes, but it was a mistake. It wasn't intentional.”

A flicker of dark emotion crossed father’s face, and his eyes became dark with violence.

“Why would you do that?” his voice was condescending and loud.

I swallowed hard to calm my nervousness. “I caught a fever. I couldn't think properly.” I fell to my knees. “I’m sorry. I promised it won't happen again.” I lied, admitting to the wrong I never committed.

But, of what point is it?

I stifled a sigh. I know them better than my backhand so I know it is not useful to argue or try to defend myself.

Ill ended up getting hurt.

“You should apologize to her and not me!” Father snarled, snapping his attention back at Anna.

Anna put on a pitiful face and purred. “It's okay, Eileen. You know I love you so you shouldn't be kneeling for me. You're older than me.”

Lies! Lies from the pit of hell. She enjoyed it. She enjoyed me kneeling and being pathetic for her but in the presence of her parents, she never fails to display her show of facade.

“My clothes are in the laundry room. Please endeavor to iron and fold them in my closet.” she waved her fingers at me dismissively at the same time shooting me a crooked wolfish glare.

I rose from the floor and was about to reach the door that leads to the laundry when Dad’s thick voice rumbled in my ears.

“You'd better get it done before dinner else you'll be eating your dinner for breakfast tomorrow.”

“Yes, daddy,” I answered.

I heard his faint curse. “I wish she could stop addressing me as her father. She looks so chubby and shapeless.”

Anna laughed at his words and that hurts me really bad.

~~~~

Hours later, I was done with laundry and dinner. I was lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling when his thoughts hit me again.

Ryan Blackwood! His name resonated in my ears and his images almost clogged my vision.

His scent like... I pushed myself up from the bed and rushed over to the dress I had worn today.

I sniffled through it inhaling Ryan’s pine scent that lingered on my dress.

I returned to the bed, clutching the dress to my chest, and slowly I drifted into a deep sleep.

Waking up the next day.

I woke up early to sweep and assisted the cook with breakfast. I blended the pepper and mashed the beef.

As usual, after breakfast, Dad threw a twenty-dollar note at me. The note fell to the floor.

In a snarling tone, he barked. “Pick that up and board the public vehicle to school. I can't risk anyone seeing a plus size with me, not even my friend it will taint my reputation.” Dad smirked and flipped the hem of his shirt.

He walked over to Anna and had his hands draped over her shoulders. “Princess, which of the cars do you want to ride the school today?”

Anna spoke aloud. “Maybe the Maybach but it doesn't match my outfits.”

“I’m so sorry princess, we could make another choice.” her father apologized to her.

Anna dragged in a deep breath and said. “Okay, I will just manage the Lamborghini Urus over there.” she pointed her fingers towards the yellow car.

I stood watching them go unnoticed.  It felt as if I was on another planet or I never even existed to them at that moment.

Dad helped Anna carry her school bags and lunchbox, put them in the backseat, and slammed the door shut.

His gaze flicked backward and it landed on me.

I trembled under his gaze.

The corner of his lips pulled into a smirk. “What are you still doing here?”

I gulped and hurried towards the gate.

“Eileen?” my father called and my step faltered. Slowly, I turned around to face him. “Open the damn gate and close it back right after I leave.”

“Okay, sir,” I answered. But the gateman was there. Dad didn't want to stress him but me.

I dropped my food box on the ground and hurried to push the gate open.

When my dad drove out, I realized he had crushed my food box even my bag too.

Pursing my lips, I fought back the tears that threatened to fall from my eyes.

I picked them up and headed for the nearest bus stop. I didn't close the gate back because the gateman had offered to close it.

~~~ At school ~~~

Anna corners me and has me pinned down with her condescending look. Her henchmen were standing a few meters away from us.

“I have another test to write today. You have to perform well,” she said then flashed her middle finger towards my eyes, her sharp nails almost digging into my eyes.

“Don't think I've forgotten about yesterday. You humiliated me and I'm also going to pay you back in your coins.”

“Yes, princess.” I imitated my father's response and that seemed to ease the tension in the air.

My eyes widened when Anna did the unthinkable. She hugged me. “Good luck.” she kissed my cheeks and left.

Her friends laughed and stared at me in disgust when Anna walked up to them, muttering some inaudible words.

Anna’s hug should have felt comforting. Instead, it felt like a warning.